• PMID: 21351530
• Gene Name: NOS3
• Condition: Azoospermia
• Association: The expression of NOSTRIN is decreased, while the activity of eNOS and the level of NO2- / NO3- increased in thetestis tissue of azoospermia patients, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of azoospermia.
• Population size: 27
• Population details: 27 (17 patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 10 normal men)
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Azoospermia

[Expression of NOSTRIN in the testis tissue of azoospermia patients]

Xiang WP, Wen ZN, Hu L, Li HG, Xiong CL.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the testis tissue of azoospermia patients, and investigate their correlation with the pathogenesis of azoospermia. METHODS: We detected the expressions of NOSTRIN and NOSTRIN mRNA by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively, determined the activity of eNOS by spectrophotometry, and measured the stable metabolic end product NO, NO2- / NO3-, by nitrate reductase assay in the testis tissues of 17 patients with idiopathic azoospermia (the azoospermia group) and 10 normal men (the normal group). RESULTS: NOSTRIN and NOSTRIN mRNA were expressed in the spermatogonia, sertoli cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells, more lowly in the azoospermia than in the normal group (0.312 +/- 0.076 versus 0.793 +/- 0.082, P < 0.01). The activity of eNOS was significantly increased in the idiopathic azoospermia patients ([33.727 +/- 3.58] U/mg) compared with the normal men ([17.69 +/- 3.84] U/mg) (P < 0.01). The level of NO2- / NO3- was significantly higher in the azoospermia than in the normal group ([48.56 +/- 8.49] micromol/L versus [25.37 +/- 9.61] micromol/L, P < 0.01). The expression of NOSTRIN showed a significant negative correlation with the activity of eNOS (r = -0.57, P < 0.01) as well as with the level of NO2- / NO3- (r = -0.61, P < 0.01) in the testis tissue of the idiopathic azoospermia patients. CONCLUSION: The expression of NOSTRIN is decreased, while the activity of eNOS and the level of NO2- / NO3- increased in the testis tissue of azoospermia patients, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of azoospermia. FAU - Xiang, Wen-pei AU - Xiang WP AD - Family Planning Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China. wpxiang2010@gmail.com FAU - Wen, Zi-na AU - Wen ZN FAU - Hu, Lian AU - Hu L FAU - Li, Hong-gang AU - Li HG